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DENTAL FLoss HOLDER.

Patented Aug. 25, 1896.

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UNITED STATES ATnNr rrrcn.

J OIIN I). CUTTER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ADELAIDE 0.

CUTTER, OF SAME PLACE.

DENTAL FLOSS-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 566,667, dated August25, 1896.

Application filed June 12, 1896i Serial No. 595,311. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN D. CUTTER, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kingsand State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Floss-Holder, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates particularly to floss holders for tooth-cleaningpurposes; and the object is to provide a simple and convenient device bymeans of which a small stretch of floss or similar material may be heldrigidly and in such a position as to be easily inserted between theteeth.

I will describe a floss-holder embodying iny invention, and then pointout the novel features in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2is a top plan view thereof, drawn on an enlarged scale and with certainparts broken away; and Fig. 3 is a section through the line 3 3 of Fig.1, and drawn on an enlarged scale.

The device comprises a frame 1 of suitable metal, such, for instance, aswire, bent to form a handle portion 2, and having the end of each memberturned upward, as at 3. These upwardly-turned portions 3 are parallelone with the other, and each one at its end is provided with a kerf 4,and also, as here shown, with a kerf 5, extended at right angles to thekerf at. Preferably the end will be flared outward to form a head, asshown at 6, the purpose of which will be hereinafter stated. Attached tothe base of each portion 3 is a lug or button 7, around which the flossmay be turned.

Within the body or handle portion is mount ed to rotate a bobbin 8,designed to hold a supply of floss or similar material 9. As here shown,this bobbin 8 is mounted to rotate between spring yielding arms 10,extended from the body or handle portion and having inwardly-extendedbosses 11,which project into a central opening in the bobbin, formingtrunnions therefor.

In use the floss 9 is carried from the bobbin 8 and given one turnaround the first button or lug 7. Thence the floss is carried throughthe kerf 4 of the projection 8, thence through the kerf at of the otherprojection 3,

and then the end is turned once or twice around the second button 7.

It may sometimes happen under undue pressure that the floss wheninserted through the kerfs, as described, will slip oif the end of theprojections. To prevent this, or to provide means for more firmlysecuring the floss, the said floss may be first passed through the kerf4:, then turned once or twice around the projections underneath the headportion, and then through the kerf 5 to the button 7, as indicated atthe right-hand end of the enlarged view, Fig. 2.

I have mentioned floss in connection with this device because it is apreferred material, as it may be inserted in very narrow spaces betweenteeth. In fact it may be inserted where it would be impossible to insertcotton or linen thread. It is to be understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to the use or employment of floss.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. A floss-holder, comprising a frame consisting of asingle strip of Wire bent to form a handle portion and twooutwardly-extended portions, the end of each outwardly-extended portionbeing flared outward and provided with a transverse kerf, a lug attachedto the base of each outwardly-extended portion, and a bobbin removablysupported within the handle portion of the frame, substantially asspecified.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a frame havingoutwardly-extended portions each provided at its end with two kerfs, onekerf being transverse to the other, buttons or lugs on said portions,and a holder for floss or similar material supported in the frame,substantially as specified.

3. A flossholder, comprising a frame bent to form a handle, spring-armsextended from said handle portion and having inwardly-extended bosses, abobbin between said arms and having a central opening to receive thebosses of the arms, and the outwardly-extended ends of the frameprovided with means to engage floss or the like, substantially asspecified.

- JOHN D. CUTTER.

Witnesses J NO. M. BITTER, O. R. Frzncuson.

